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Syllabus
_Course Description
Peace Studies is commonly defined as the systematic, interdisciplinary study of the causes of war and the conditions of peace. The Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution minor addresses the sources of war, social oppression and violence and the challenges of promoting peace and justice internationally, domestically, and personally. It also introduces more equitable, cooperative and nonviolent methods that can be used to transform unjust, violent or oppressive situations.
This course provides students with an overview of the Peace and Conflict Studies discipline, including key concepts and related theories. The course is designed to familiarize students with the historical background of various peace movements, to analyze principles used to resolve conflict, and to provide a view of how peace and conflict resolution are being pursued today.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will:
This course is structured to be discussion-based, which is why your attendance is required at every class meeting. Furthermore, your active participation is crucial to the success of the class as a collective endeavor. You are expected to arrive on time, to have completed the assigned readings, and to engage constructively in the day’s activities.
Grading Policies
Peace Studies is commonly defined as the systematic, interdisciplinary study of the causes of war and the conditions of peace. The Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution minor addresses the sources of war, social oppression and violence and the challenges of promoting peace and justice internationally, domestically, and personally. It also introduces more equitable, cooperative and nonviolent methods that can be used to transform unjust, violent or oppressive situations.
This course provides students with an overview of the Peace and Conflict Studies discipline, including key concepts and related theories. The course is designed to familiarize students with the historical background of various peace movements, to analyze principles used to resolve conflict, and to provide a view of how peace and conflict resolution are being pursued today.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student will:
- Be able to explain verbally and in writing the causes of war and conditions for peace;
- Be able to formulate a comprehensive analysis of current conflicts and conflict zones;
- Be able to operationalize intellectual content, from this class, with praxis in daily situations;
- Be able to examine personal decisions and create objectives for an ethical stance on peace issues;
- Be certified in two online courses offered by the United States Institute of Peace.
- We all bring valuable experiences and insight to the table. As you are completing the readings and preparing for class, keep in mind that you are in a unique position to contribute to the group’s discussion.
- It is in everyone's best interest that we work to maintain a positive classroom environment, where individuals feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their points of view. With that in mind, please be respectful of your classmates and the instructors, even if you disagree with their opinions and views on certain topics. Remember, tolerance is a basic condition for the existence of peace.
- Please turn off all electronic devices (laptop, PDA, cell phone, mp3 player, pager, etc.) before coming to class. Instead, turn on your critical thinking and reasoning skills – these will serve you much better.
- Be advised that every absence (regardless of reason) will result in a five-point deduction from your attendance grade. (This means that after four absences, you have zero attendance points.) Additionally, you will be responsible for studying the material we covered in class that day on your own. (Please refer to the Tentative Course Schedule on Blackboard for guidance, and contact a Teaching Assistant if you have questions or concerns.)
- Students who have earned a solid A (372 points or more, out of 400) AND have perfect attendance record (zero absences) at the end of the semester will be exempt from taking the final exam. If this is your case, you will be notified by email by the course instructors no later than April 27th.
- Unethical conduct (as described in the University's plagiarism policy) will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in failure of this course.
- If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructors, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to see Gerry as soon as possible.
This course is structured to be discussion-based, which is why your attendance is required at every class meeting. Furthermore, your active participation is crucial to the success of the class as a collective endeavor. You are expected to arrive on time, to have completed the assigned readings, and to engage constructively in the day’s activities.
Grading Policies
- No late assignments. Period.
- All written assignments must be typewritten, and will be graded on content and style – please proofread carefully for grammar and spelling mistakes!!!
- Keep in mind that the instructors do not “give out” random grades; rather, students earn grades, and then we assign them the grades that they have earned.
- Extra Credit opportunities may be available throughout the semester, and will be announced in class and on Blackboard as appropriate.
- Your final letter grade for ID301 will reflect the total number of points earned throughout the semester in the following assignments:
Assignment
-Attendance (each absence is a 5 point deduction) -Reflection Blog (10 entries worth 10 points each) -Volunteer Work (at least 10 hrs) -USIP Certificate Courses (2 courses at 45 points each) -Peace Workers (paper and oral presentation) -Peer Evaluations (3 evaluations worth 10 points each) -Final Exam SEMESTER TOTAL |
Maximum Possible Points
40 100 100 90 40 30 100 500 |
Assignment Requirements
Attendance– Every absence (regardless of reason) equals a five-point deduction. This means that after eight absences, you have zero attendance points. But, on the bright side, if you have a perfect attendance record (zero absences), you automatically get forty points and may even qualify for an exemption from the Final Exam.
Reflection Blog– Each student will create a personal blog, through which you will share with the class your reactions to the assigned readings. You are required to write at least ten posts throughout the semester, each covering a different reading assignment. Blog posts are due by 11:59 pm on the Monday before we begin discussing a reading assignment. (For example, a post on Chapter 2 in Barash should be posted on Blackboard before 11:59 pm on Monday, January 25th.) Each post should be 500-600 words long, and is worth a maximum of 10 points; your work will be graded based on deepness of reflection and application of concepts from the readings.
Note: The Final Exam will be composed of questions taken from the blogs, so it is a good idea to check and comment on your classmates’ posts regularly throughout the semester.
Fundraiser– At the beginning of the semester, students will be divided into two fundraising groups. Each group will direct a fundraiser on campus to raise money for OXFAM. The project is meant to be a team-building activity, and students are expected to work together. Fundraising is an integral part of peace work, and this project offers students a chance to work in teams to find the best ways of raising money.
Volunteer Work– Promoting peace requires hands-on hard work! You are expected to volunteer at least 10 hours of your time this semester, preferably in activities organized by the BSU Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. Other volunteer opportunities may qualify, but must be pre-approved by the instructors.
USIP Certificate Courses– The United States Institute of Peace offers a number of courses and simulations, two of which are available online for free. You are required to complete both the Certificate Course in Conflict Analysis and the Certificate Course in Interfaith Conflict Resolution. Each certification will be worth 45 points.
Peace Workers- One person can make a difference, and thousands of people do so every day. This assignment calls for you to research the life and work of an individual who inspires you (and others) to actively promote peace; your research should clearly demonstrate how this person made/is making a significant contribution to peace efforts in one specific area of peacemaking. You are required to share your findings outside of class through a written paper (1500 words long) and/or a poster presentation. Requirements and presentation opportunities will be discussed in class. Presenting off campus such as at Butler will be an extra credit opportunity.
Peer Evaluations– Starting on the second week of class, students will be grouped into 4-or-5-person Discussion Teams. The teams will sit and work together throughout the semester, discussing the readings, presenting material, and generally collaborating for class purposes. Roughly every four weeks, you will be asked to evaluate (according to a self-devised rubric) your team members’ contributions to the group’s progress in the course. The average of your teammates’ assessment of your participation will equal your grade for this “assignment”. Each peer evaluation is worth 10 points, for a total of 30 points in the semester.
Final Exam– The final exam will cover all the assigned readings, movies shown in class, lectures by guest speakers, and USIP course materials. Its questions will be taken directly from student blogs; in other words, your classmates’ blogs are your study guide.
***Due dates for all assignments will be available on this website, as well in the Tentative Course Schedule***
Required Texts
Contact the Instructors
Attendance– Every absence (regardless of reason) equals a five-point deduction. This means that after eight absences, you have zero attendance points. But, on the bright side, if you have a perfect attendance record (zero absences), you automatically get forty points and may even qualify for an exemption from the Final Exam.
Reflection Blog– Each student will create a personal blog, through which you will share with the class your reactions to the assigned readings. You are required to write at least ten posts throughout the semester, each covering a different reading assignment. Blog posts are due by 11:59 pm on the Monday before we begin discussing a reading assignment. (For example, a post on Chapter 2 in Barash should be posted on Blackboard before 11:59 pm on Monday, January 25th.) Each post should be 500-600 words long, and is worth a maximum of 10 points; your work will be graded based on deepness of reflection and application of concepts from the readings.
Note: The Final Exam will be composed of questions taken from the blogs, so it is a good idea to check and comment on your classmates’ posts regularly throughout the semester.
Fundraiser– At the beginning of the semester, students will be divided into two fundraising groups. Each group will direct a fundraiser on campus to raise money for OXFAM. The project is meant to be a team-building activity, and students are expected to work together. Fundraising is an integral part of peace work, and this project offers students a chance to work in teams to find the best ways of raising money.
Volunteer Work– Promoting peace requires hands-on hard work! You are expected to volunteer at least 10 hours of your time this semester, preferably in activities organized by the BSU Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. Other volunteer opportunities may qualify, but must be pre-approved by the instructors.
USIP Certificate Courses– The United States Institute of Peace offers a number of courses and simulations, two of which are available online for free. You are required to complete both the Certificate Course in Conflict Analysis and the Certificate Course in Interfaith Conflict Resolution. Each certification will be worth 45 points.
Peace Workers- One person can make a difference, and thousands of people do so every day. This assignment calls for you to research the life and work of an individual who inspires you (and others) to actively promote peace; your research should clearly demonstrate how this person made/is making a significant contribution to peace efforts in one specific area of peacemaking. You are required to share your findings outside of class through a written paper (1500 words long) and/or a poster presentation. Requirements and presentation opportunities will be discussed in class. Presenting off campus such as at Butler will be an extra credit opportunity.
Peer Evaluations– Starting on the second week of class, students will be grouped into 4-or-5-person Discussion Teams. The teams will sit and work together throughout the semester, discussing the readings, presenting material, and generally collaborating for class purposes. Roughly every four weeks, you will be asked to evaluate (according to a self-devised rubric) your team members’ contributions to the group’s progress in the course. The average of your teammates’ assessment of your participation will equal your grade for this “assignment”. Each peer evaluation is worth 10 points, for a total of 30 points in the semester.
Final Exam– The final exam will cover all the assigned readings, movies shown in class, lectures by guest speakers, and USIP course materials. Its questions will be taken directly from student blogs; in other words, your classmates’ blogs are your study guide.
***Due dates for all assignments will be available on this website, as well in the Tentative Course Schedule***
Required Texts
Contact the Instructors